Please read this:
Time to Review! The governments of U.S. and Canada call for Participants
Sign up to serve on a Review Working Group by Mid-April
The Canadian and U.S. governments have begun the process of reviewing the operation and effectiveness of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (WQA). Reviews are an intensive undertaking, and assistance is needed!
The WQA commits the two countries to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the waters of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem and has been held up as a successful model of Canada-U.S. partnership. The WQA was first negotiated in 1972 to control sewage discharges to the lakes and then updated in 1978 and 1987 to address toxic substances and highly contaminated areas. The two governments are now in the process of reviewing how well they have fulfilled their commitments under the agreement since 1999 (their last review), and to consider making changes.
In order to facilitate an open, transparent and inclusive review process, Canada and the U.S. are inviting public stakeholders and government agencies to participate in Review Working Groups (RWGs).
The work of the RWGs will commence in late April 2006 and continue throughout 2006. Participation will require a commitment to review particular aspects of the Agreement, attend regularly held conference calls, and possibly attend a small number of in-person meetings. RWG’s include the following, with more information on what each RWG will be discussing online (link below):
GROUP A: Scope and Purpose; Goals and Objectives; Function
GROUP B: Toxic Chemicals
GROUP C: RAPs and LaMPs
GROUP D: Phosphorus and Non-Point Source Pollution
GROUP E: Sediment Related Issues
GROUP F: Research and Monitoring Provisions
GROUP G: Coast Guard Annexes (this includes pollution from shipping vessels for all you aquatic invasive species experts)
GROUP H: Groundwater Issues
SPECIAL ISSUE WORKING GROUP (this group will examine issues impacting the Great Lakes and determine how they related to the WQA)
If you would like to participate in a RWG, please go to:
http://binational.net/glwqa_2006_e.html and complete the membership form and return it to either the Canadian or U.S. member of the Agreement Review Committee Secretariat.
In Canada: Monica Lim, Environment Canada – GLEO
Phone: 416-739-4787; Fax: 416-739-4804; Email: monica.lim@ec.gc.ca
In the U.S.: Mark ELster, USEPA – GLNPO
Phone: 312-886-3857; Fax: 312-353-2018; Email: elster.mark@epa.gov
NOTE: Deadline for memberships has been extended through MID-APRIL, please sign up!
